Make your own homemade air fryer mozzarella sticks that are perfect gooey and crispy! This classic snack is always a crowd-favorite, great for any and every occasion.

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Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
Cheesy mozzarella sticks are my kryptonite, I’ll readily admit it! I mean, who wouldn’t have a weak spot for melty cheese housed in a panko breadcrumb mixture and fried to crisp perfection.
While this is one of my favorite appetizers, it’s not necessarily the healthiest thing ever. So, I figured out a way to make this delicious food without all the oil and frying! Enter air fryer mozzarella sticks.
They are every bit as good as deep fried mozzarella sticks but have a fraction of the oil used. Plus, it’s so much easier to make something in the air fryer than it is to heat up a big pot oil.
I make these with air fryer chicken wings for game day parties and gatherings all the time. It’s just the easiest thing to do and everyone loves fun appetizers like these! Once you learn to make your own homemade mozzarella sticks, you’ll never want to grab those frozen box kind again.
More appetizer recipes: Sausage Balls • Whipped Feta Dip • Cranberry Brie Bites
Why you’ll love this recipe
This great recipe is so easy to love! Pair them with your favorite dipping sauce and dig in:
- Make these gooey cheesy snacks in under an hour. They’re so easy to prep and even easier to cook since the air fryer does all the hard work for you!
- These are fabulous to prep ahead of time, freeze, and then cook when needed. You could prep a large batch and then you’ll always have an appetizer ready to be popped in the air fryer at the drop of a hat.
- Homemade mozzarella sticks have a much better flavor than store-bought. Plus, you can be sure that there are no extra preservatives and additives like there are in the frozen stuff.

Tools Needed
To make this easy mozzarella sticks recipe, you’ll need a few different kitchen tools. Use a sharp chef’s knife and cutting board to cut the block of mozzarella if you are not using cheese sticks. You’ll also need at least two shallow bowls and a bowl for the breading mixture.
Make sure you’ve got measuring cups and spoons to properly measure the ingredients and a whisk to beat the egg. You’ll also need parchment paper for the air fryer basket and, of course, an air fryer!

Ingredients
These simple ingredients are all that you need to make the perfect mozzarella sticks. Here’s what to add to that grocery list before you go shopping:
- mozzarella cheese block
- chili flakes
- Italian seasoning
- salt
- black pepper
- panko bread crumbs
- all-purpose flour
- large egg
Substitutions & variations
I typically cut sticks from a block of whole milk mozzarella, but you can use sticks of string cheese too. Both will work great!
You can use homemade breadcrumbs instead of store-bought panko breadcrumbs if you want. The regular bread crumbs will work, or you can swap it out for Italian breadcrumbs.

Chili flakes won’t really make the breading mixture spicy, but it does add just a bit of heat. Leave it out if you prefer!
Feel free to experiment with gluten-free options! There are gluten-free breadcrumbs out there and tons of gluten-free flour.
Add tons of flavor to the dry breadcrumbs with various different spices and herbs. Use things like garlic powder, dried rosemary, dried parsley, dried basil, onion powder, dried oregano and so much more.
How to Make Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Air frying mozzarella sticks is a healthier alternative to deep frying them. You’ll find it’s incredibly easy too! Here’s how to make this recipe:
Begin by cutting the block of mozzarella into 16 – ½ inch thick sticks. If you are using string cheese, then cut them in half.


Then mix together the chili flakes, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper and bread crumbs on a wide plate.
Put all-purpose flour into a shallow bowl and then beat an egg into another separate shallow bowl.


Grab one mozzarella stick at a time, then coat it in flour, dip in the egg wash, and then coat it well at the breading station. Make sure that all sides are covered and coated thoroughly.

Arrange the coated cheese sticks on a plate and then place them in the freezer for about 30 minutes.


When you’re ready to cook you creation, preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 350°F (180°C). Then line the basket with parchment paper and place each coated mozzarella stick inside without overcrowding it.

Cook for 5 minutes then toss and cook for 3-4 more minutes until golden brown.
Serve with marinara sauce or ranch dressing and enjoy!
Tips & tricks
These simple tips and tricks will ensure you make the most crispy and gooey cheese sticks ever:
- Keep the coated cheese stick in a single layer in the basket so that the hot air can circulate around all sides of the sticks. This will ensure that all sides get crispy and golden brown!
- If you do not have parchment paper, use some non-stick cooking spray before cooking the mozzarella sticks. It’s best to have something to prevent sticking so that the breading doesn’t get peeled off.
- Make sure that you evenly coat each cheese stick and don’t make the panko coating layer too thick. It’ll crisp up best when it’s not too thick and will stick better to the cheese stick.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
In my opinion, fresh hot mozzarella sticks are best dipped in a homemade marinara sauce. But creamy ranch dressing is also so tasty for this perfect appetizer. I love to serve this dish alongside other great food like fried pickles, queso fundido, and popcorn shrimp.
This hearty appetizer is always a blast to serve at parties and gatherings! I pair it with cocktails like a classic bloody mary or a gin and tonic. Sangrita and mezcal margaritas are also perfect with the cheesy snack. It’s the best appetizer for so many different cocktails.
FAQ
It is essential to freeze mozzarella sticks before popping them into the air fryer. If you do not, you will have a mess of melty cheese on your hands once they’re cooked. Freezing the sticks helps to keep the cheese cold enough while the breading cooks and only makes the cheese melt to be gooey and stringy instead of liquidy.
Place leftovers into an airtight container and allow to fully cool before putting the lid on. This is important because any condensation build up will make the breading soggy. Store in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, place them back into a preheated air fryer or the oven until warmed through and crispy. You can also freeze the coated and uncooked sticks for up to 3 months.

More Cheesy Recipes
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Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
ingredients
- 12 oz Mozzarella cheese block or you can also use mozzarella string cheese sticks
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
- ¾ cup panko bread crumbs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
instructions
- Cut the Mozzarella cheese block into approximately 16 – ½ inch thick sticks. Or if you’re using string cheese sticks then cut them in half.
- Mix chili flakes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper powder with the panko bread crumbs on a wide plate.
- Take two shallow bowls; take all-purpose flour in one, and beat the egg in the second bowl.
- Working with one stick of mozzarella at a time, coat it in flour, then dip it in egg, and finally coat it in panko mixture making sure all sides are covered and coated well.
- Arrange the coated mozzarella sticks on a plate and place them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 350°F (180°C). Line the basket with parchment paper and arrange the coated mozzarella sticks without overcrowding. Cook for 5 minutes then toss and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve warm with marinara sauce or ranch dressing.
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